Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Degradation Mechanisms in Fuel Cells - Findings Over the Past 30 Years and Comparison with Electrolyzers

LaConti, A.B.; Liu, Han; Mittelsteadt, Cortney; McDonald, Robert

doi:10.1149/1.2214554

Cited by 75 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…• C compared to 60 • C. 90 Therefore, for PFSA membranes end-group stabilization 121 and addition of regenerative radical scavengers 122 will be required. Higher temperature is also expected to increase the rate of catalyst degradation, the mechanisms of which need to be better understood.…”

Section: Technology Gaps and Development Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…88,90,97 LaConti et al showed that the FRR increases approximately by two orders of magnitude with a temperature increase from 55 to 150…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…• C. 90 Based on the literature reports, the cathode side degradation of the membrane is more pronounced as a result of radical formation triggered by O 2 crossover and interaction with hydrogen adsorbed on the Pt catalyst of the cathode. 90,93,98 Also, the electroosmotic drag creates higher concentration of H 2 O 2 on the H 2 side.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…90,93,98 Also, the electroosmotic drag creates higher concentration of H 2 O 2 on the H 2 side. Additionally, the anode catalyst on the O 2 side in the PEWEs is at high potential.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Critical Review—Identifying Critical Gaps for Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis Development

Babic

Suermann

Büchi

et al. 2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

372

347

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Although polymer electrolyte water electrolyzers (PEWEs) have been used in small-scale (kW to tens of kW range) applications for several decades, PEWE technology for hydrogen production in energy applications (power-to-gas, power-to-fuel, etc.) requires significant improvements in the technology to address the challenges associated with cost, performance and durability. Systems with power of hundreds of kW or even MWs, corresponding to hydrogen production rates of around 10 to 20 kg/h, have started to appear in the past 5 years. The thin (∼0.2 mm) polymer electrolyte in the PEWE with low ohmic resistance, compared to the alkaline cell with liquid electrolyte, allows operation at high current densities of 1-3 A/cm 2 and high differential pressure. This article, after an introductory overview of the operating principles of PEWE and state-of-the-art, discusses the state of understanding of key phenomena determining and limiting performance, durability, and commercial readiness, identifies important 'gaps' in understanding and essential development needs to bring PEWE science & engineering forward to prosper in the energy market as one of its future backbone technologies. For this to be successful, science, engineering, and process development as well as business and market development need to go hand in hand. In 2015, the global primary energy consumption was 153 PWh, 1 corresponding to an average rate of energy conversion of 17 TW. About 30% (∼6 TW) of this is used for electricity generation, which yields around 2.8 TW of electrical power (24 PWh per year). Around two thirds of the electricity is generated from fossil fuels, hydropower contributes 16%, nuclear power 11%, and other renewables (such as solar and wind) only 6.7%.1 Solar (photovoltaics) and wind power have a combined installed capacity of about 660 GW (in 2015).2 Electricity supply based on a significant share of these "new renewables" is associated with large discrepancies between supply and demand, owing to the intermittent nature of these primary energy sources. Hence, solutions for the grid-scale storage of electricity need to be developed and implemented. The electrochemical splitting of water (electrolysis) is a clean and efficient process offering interesting prospects to store large amounts of excess electricity in form of chemical energy ('power-to-gas' concept). 3,4 The produced hydrogen and oxygen can be used to regenerate electricity in periods of low production and high demand or serve as clean transportation fuel for fuel cell electric vehicles. Therefore, water electrolysis is a key technology in future sustainable energy scenarios, since hydrogen as an energy 'vector', i.e., as a universal energy carrier, could promote the decarbonization of the energy economy, or even become its backbone in the context of a 'hydrogen economy'.5 Moreover, the produced hydrogen can be used to methanate CO 2 from suitable sources, such as biogas plants, to produce synthetic natural gas (SNG), which can be injected and stored in the natural gas network. 6...

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Section: Technology Gaps and Development Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…88,90,97 LaConti et al showed that the FRR increases approximately by two orders of magnitude with a temperature increase from 55 to 150…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…90,93,98 Also, the electroosmotic drag creates higher concentration of H 2 O 2 on the H 2 side. Additionally, the anode catalyst on the O 2 side in the PEWEs is at high potential.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Critical Review—Identifying Critical Gaps for Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis Development

Babic

Suermann

Büchi

et al. 2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

372

347

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Early research in PEM water electrolyzer showed that Pt can dissolve and redeposit inside the membrane, forming a Pt band over long period of operation 16 . Also, localized degradation, in form of bubbles and delaminations, was observed in the vicinity of the Pt band.…”

Section: Platinum Redepositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Gas Partial Pressure on PEMFC Chemical Degradation

Liu

Zhang²,

Coms³

et al. 2006

ECS Trans.

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Impact of reactant gas partial pressure on membrane chemical degradation is presented in this paper. The relationship between degradation rate and p H2 / p O2 is elucidated using fluoride release rate (FRR) as the assessment criterion. The effect of p H2 / p O2 on the location of the Pt redeposition band is clarified. Experimental results and model predictions are compared. The mechanism of FRR dependency on relative humidity (i.e., relative water partial pressure) is also examined by H 2 O 2 flow cell study.

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Factors influencing ionomer degradation

Inaba

Yamada

2010

Handbook of Fuel Cells

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Chemical degradation of perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes during operation is a serious problem to be overcome before commercialization of electric vehicles and stationary cogeneration systems based on polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). In this article, the mechanism for peroxide/radical formation, which works as an active species for membrane degradation, in the cell is reviewed comprehensively. Accelerating factors, such as low humidification and open‐circuit conditions, and the effect of air bleeding are also discussed. Finally, the chemistry of PFSA membrane degradation is outlined, together with recent improvements in the durability of PFSA membranes.

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Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Degradation Mechanisms in Fuel Cells - Findings Over the Past 30 Years and Comparison with Electrolyzers

Cited by 75 publications

References 17 publications

Critical Review—Identifying Critical Gaps for Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis Development

Critical Review—Identifying Critical Gaps for Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis Development

Impact of Gas Partial Pressure on PEMFC Chemical Degradation

Factors influencing ionomer degradation

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